Perpetual nips Mapua; SSC up

JOHN Ortuoste of San Sebastian goes for a layup off a fallen Noube Happi of EAC in yesterday’s match at Filoil Flying V Arena. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

NOSA Omorogbe exploded for 25 points, including a flurry of triples down the stretch, as Perpetual Help nipped Mapua, 73-68, yesterday to forge a tie with San Beda for second place in the  NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Nigerian forward knocked in three of the Altas’ five three-pointers in the final period as Perpetual Help held off repeated Mapua rallies to notch a third straight victory  and improve to 5-1.

Earlier, San Sebastian rediscovered its lethal form in the fourth quarter as the Stags came from behind to trounce the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 81-74, for their third straight victory.

CJ Perez, Jamil Ortuoste and Leo De Vera joined forces in a bristling finish that sent the Stags to their fourth win in six outings and solo fourth spot.

The Cardinals absorbed their third straight loss, joining the Generals in a tie at eighth spot with a 1-5 slate.

Perez, tipped as  heir apparent to Calvin Abueva, lived up to the hype, finishing with 20  points, including five in the final period, while Ortuoste delivered six of his 16 points in the final 10 minutes.

De Vera, playing in his first and final year for the Stags, pumped in nine points, including a key triple that broke a four-minute dry spell  boosted San Sebastian on top 72-70 with 2:04 remaining.

Ortuoste’s  free throws  pushed the lead to 74-71, before Perez, responding to Jam Jamon’s triple on the other end, buried the go-ahead three-pointer with 44.3 seconds remaining.

The Stags actually fashioned out their second straight win without coach Topex Robinson, who is still out of the country.

“Every player did his part especially on defense,” said assistant coach Raymond Valenzona.

Valenzona also steered the Staglets to their sixth straight win after a 77-67 triumph over the Brigadiers earlier.

Meanwhile, Letran guard Franz Dysam underwent surgery yesterday to remove four bullets in his body, two days after two motorcycle-riding men shot him and his girlfriend, Joan Sordan.

Sordan died on arrival at San Juan Medical Center.

The scores:

SAN SEBASTIAN 81—Perez 20, Ortuoste 16, Guinto 15, Dela Cruz 11, De Vera 9, Gusi 5, Balucanag 3, Rebollos 2, Vergara 0, Tano 0, Magno 0.

EAC 74—Jamon 25, Morada 13, Happi 11, Arquero 9, Paguia 6, Onwubere 3, King 2, Monteclaro 2, Hiole Manga 2, Tayongtong 1, Castro 0, Mejos 0, Munsayac 0.

Quarters: 17-12, 42-36, 57-64, 81-74